Global Megan Comments RSS

Re: Prioritize, Simplify

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 05:03:02 +0000

Megan my dear you stole the words right out of my head! I was just saying yesterday; "Life really may be a lot simpler than we think."

I want to work with people I respect and surround myself with people I love. Easy. Done.

Re: My Little Welsh Home

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:21:27 +0000

Thanks Megan for this present !

You are a beautiful heart.

Re: My Little Welsh Home

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:31:58 +0000

Beautiful!

Re: 12-Hour Track: See You Soon

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:43:02 +0000

Ah, that was a really nice song Megan. I'm impressed!

Re: 12-Hour Track: See You Soon

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:36:16 +0000

Wonderful! And what a great way to sort out your feelings :)

Re: 12-Hour Track: See You Soon

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:23:24 +0000

That is a GREAT song!!!! :D :D Thanks for sharing!! :D

Re: Real Time

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:29:16 +0000

I get it. Everyone needs real time connections - conversations and interactions that can only happen when you are engaging with someone. Yesterday, I took my son to his friend's for a playdate. I wound up staying and chatting with the mom for more than an hour, who is also my friend. When my son looked at me and asked why I was still there, I told my son that the reason I haven't left yet is because I'm having my own playdate. I had so much fun catching up with my friend, looking at photo books, exchanging ideas, listening to what new things were ahead for her, and more. And she shared something that stuck with me as we talked about balance, leadership and work life. Instead of saying 'I have to...' say 'I get to...' Often grown-ups can say things in a way that sounds negative to little ears like: 'I have to go to work.' Instead we should say: 'I get to go to work.' So many people don't get to go to work, or drive a car, or buy groceries, or go to school, or read a book. This was a 'real time' epiphany for me. And I think I will write a post on it. Thanks for the spark!

Re: Real Time

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:22:18 +0000

I feel that connection with writing. :-)

Re: What fuels you?

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:24:49 +0000

Hi. I can relate to this. Talking to someone else and helping them solve their problem sometimes leads me to solving a problem of my own. However, the thing that fuels me is taking my dog for a walk in the woods. When I'm stuck, I need a change of scenery, space to breathe, and movement. I'll take photos and record thoughts and reflections (with my iPhone). I return home renewed, refreshed, and energized to tackle anything. My creativity level is raised and I see things in a new way.

Re: Keep Learning, But Fail First

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:47:12 +0000

Nice couple of videos, Megan (and thanks for the Seth Godin bonus).

I can tell you from personal experience that lizard brain of ours sure likes to read. And read. Comfortably, in the warmth of the house. And get inspired. Yep, the lizard brain loves inspiration. That one got me for a while (and still does on occasion).

Once one gets in the habit of acting, doing, shipping, a new challenge emerges: information overload. There is just so much out there. When the work includes research, it so easy to research ad-nauseum, one can research a project past its deadline.
I'll echo Bob, thanks for the reminder.

Re: Keep Learning, But Fail First

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:47:24 +0000

It's really easy to tell yourself there's more to learn, because there will ALWAYS be more to learn. But how great an education is ACTION -- far better than absorbing more information, doing something teaches in the trenches. Figuring out how to help people get to the action rather than resting on the education is big for me right now.

Re: Keep Learning, But Fail First

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:32:06 +0000

What stops people from taking action sooner? I think the overwhelming amount of information available today is a double edged sword relative to entrepreneurship and shipping. 25 years ago we moved much more quickly because we didn't have the kind of access the net has given us. We failed more often and more quickly thereby allowing us to learn and start again. Today, as you point out, people are spending way too much time analyzing, learning and thinking about things.

Thanks for the videos and for reminding me what's important.

Re: What platform do you need?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:09:57 +0000

James -- I know we hear the "whiner" thing all the time, but it can be frustrating being in this situation and I think everyone reading this has experienced a version of it, one way or another! So don't feel too bad about that part. It's all part of searching out the right door.

Would you email me at megan@ideaschema.com? I would be really interested in your top 3-5 topics that you really enjoy writing about and feel authoritative on. I think I have a few ideas!

Re: What platform do you need?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:29:26 +0000

Megan - Going where the audience is kind of reminds me of the Steve Martin SNL joke about how to become a millionaire, and not pay taxes: "First, start with a million dollars."

I kind of understand what you are saying, but that implies that I know which direction to go in the first place. That first step is still the question. This isn't to say that what you are saying is wrong. I built a voice in a community that is more hobby based for me, and some of that was done the way you are suggesting (I would be invited to do panels and live chats on a large platform). Maybe I'm not sure how you are defining platform.

Jeremy - I understand where you are coming from, and your comment below about patience kind of folds into it. I've been looking and trying to find that thing for a few years, and it feels like it's been long enough. I'm not getting any younger, and I want to get on my path. That doesn't sound very patient, but since I didn't start this quest yesterday, I feel like I have been patient.

It's aggravating to watch friends venture out on their own doing web design and enjoying it, and I feel stuck in the 9 to 5. I'm not a web designer, I don't have an eye for it. I have an ear, and my 'thing' is audio. Hey, great, I have a thing, right? Then I start to look for what the next step is, and I'm lost again.

I'm sorry, I feel like I'm being a whiner, and sound like I'm not willing to commit. That isn't the case (well, maybe I am being a whiner, but that's not for me to say), and I'm trying to 'do the work.' Talking to people who open the door like this is part of it, I think. Being honest about what my issues are in this is the only way I feel like I can get genuine feedback about what I should try. So thanks. I hope I'm not frustrating you.

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:40:29 +0000

so i guess i need patience too

Re: Trust Agents

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:57:20 +0000

Thank you for your kind words, Megan. Marty and you did a fantastic job on the flow chart. This should help readers of Trust Agents really get into the flow. :-)

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:50:38 +0000

A lot of life is trying a bunch of different stuff to find what you're supposed to be doing. When it sucks, stop doing the sucky stuff, and figure out what you learned from it. part of the value of the stuff that sucks is that it gives you great data about what you dont want to be doing, and small bits of data about the activities you enjoy within a project that you don't.

My (unsolicited) recommendation here otherwise is twofold.
1) Stop doing what you think audiences will find interesting, or what you feel like you're competent at. Start doing what you're psyched about, what you're curious about, what you love talking about, and dont' worry about the audience at all. This is not about building an audience, at this point. This is about communicating your passion into the world. The response is irrelevant.

2) for the other stuff, the "i do this to keep my skills sharp" stuff, keep it light and fun and don't invest too much of your Heroes Journey into these little parts. There are probably little tweaks you can do (have a podcast but having trouble finding enough stuff to talk about every week? make it a monthly podcast instead.) to make those things better and give yourself more room for creativity.

Good luck!

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:49:41 +0000

Okay -- this to me sounds like a platform issue, but strictly in the sense that some platforms come with an audience, or come with the intention of a certain audience that doesn't depend solely on you driving that traffic yourself... and many times, when a creator creates their own platform, they need to build their community from scratch. So there's the technology or medium of the platform (WordPress, Tumblr, in-person speaking events) and then there's the community element.

Have you tried writing your content in places where an audience already exists, or where someone else is driving the traffic to your content?

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:40:01 +0000

I'll reply to myself here, I can't reply directly to your comment (limitations of disqus, I guess).

I think the answer is yes? It's all of the above, but less so the boredom. I get excited about a project, but then get almost no feedback, and the feedback I solicit is 'that's good.' aka, not helpful. Sometimes I get response, but I don't feel like that should be the main motivation, and when things fall apart, I wonder if what I am working on is the right thing or not.

Right now, I'm stuck firmly in 'escape from cubicle nation' mode, and the first part of Pam's book reads like a diary. The beat down of the daily job is, I think, a contributing factor. I don't feel the confidence or the drive half the time because of how poorly things go at the job. I want to venture out on my own, but don't know what direction to go, while alternating between being determined and believing that there is no way I can do it.

And writing that makes me wonder, what the hell is wrong with me? There are things I am good at, and may be able to turn into a side business (or real business) that could be fulfilling and lucrative enough (money isn't the biggest factor, just enough to get by and be comfortable is fine). And yet, why don't I do it? Why don't I believe in my heart that I can do it? Even though I know I am better than the way I am treated or than I settle for at the 'real' job?

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:55:47 +0000

What is it that happens that tells you the topic isn't right?

Is it that you get bored? Is it that you don't get enough response from your audience? Is it that the audience doesn't seem to gather? Something else?

Re: What platform do you need?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:27:23 +0000

I've tried lots of things, mostly writing and podcasting, about various topics of interest. My main competency is audio, and I've put several things out there, but mostly they don't stick, either with me, or with an audience.

I'm going to keep trying, and doing new things, but at some point, I want to stop flailing about and find something that will stick, so I can get on with doing whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing. Patience is one thing, but waiting (working at different things to find the one thing) is getting exhausting. And demoralizing.

Re: What platform do you need?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:03:15 +0000

What's your podium? Your stage? What is the thing that lets you talk to the people who need to hear from you? Venue? Medium? Method? There are lots of ways to say this.

Re: What platform do you need?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:02:31 +0000

I agree. But also, the more that you use your curiosity in a public space to do meaningful things, the more your audience will know what it is you do, regardless of how you explain it. Explaining it clearly, of course, is still the most important bit. But I think you're going to start seeing it reflected back at you from the responses you get. Your stuff is excellent.

Re: What platform do you need?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:01:22 +0000

What things have you tried? And what thing will you try next? (It doesn't have the be the one that you choose forever, but eventually you'll find it by trying things out, right?)

Re: What platform do you need?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:12:51 +0000

hmmm... I think this is a hard question. I'm not sure I know what kind of platform I need.... could you give some examples of what you mean by platform?

Re: My Piece of the Puzzle

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:34:04 +0000

Welcome to a new way to catalyze ideas. Some of your Clients will need parts or prototypes made. More pieces to the puzzle. Or if they see what can be done, they catalyze even more ideas.

Great news: it is becoming easier, faster, and cheaper. Who'da thunk?
Here is a video, a write-up and plenty of links I hope help the product-inclined.
Ask the Open Source Hardware Community http://bit.ly/cfk3N

Re: Lazy Reader

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:07:32 +0000

I'm pretty convinced it does if you work hard and keep pushing at it. By all accounts, it takes some time to get it right. I was flying along pretty well and ended up getting lazy again, but I still pick up a book and go through it remarkably quickly when I'm motivated and don't want to spend a lot of time on it. I had to adjust the techniques I'd learned at the Photoreading seminar to ones that were very similar but worked better for me, though. It's probably a personal thing. If you're too skeptical, I doubt it works well. But at this point I don't care if it's a psychological fake-out, because I learned stuff that works for me. So I'm happy. Ha!

I don't know what speed it is, honestly. But I know that I read very fast before, and when I apply myself, I can get through the same material much faster now. Non-fiction, not fiction (I haven't tried fiction this way, and I'm not really all that interested in doing so).

For what it's worth, I'm glad I did it and don't consider the money ill-spent. It was a really fascinating experience / set of skills to learn.

Re: Lazy Reader

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:10:24 +0000

I arrived at your website while googling photoreading to see if students of photoreading thought it lived up to its promise.

It's hard to tell how you feel about it from this post - are you able to read at the (ridiculous?) speeds that Mr Scheele claims are possible (25000 words per minute?). Your post seems to say that this is possible, but not fun? Is that about right?

I am interested, for many of the same reasons you outline - I am craving information. Is it too much effort to make it worthwhile?

Thanks,

Matt

Re: Control Freaks (On Their Knees)

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:37:03 +0000

When you first started describing your injury, I thought, 'Ooh, I know what that is!' because it sounds an awful lot like hyper-extension, which I have done to BOTH my knees. More than once. (Ouch.) Don't know about the tendon snapping thing, though.

When it was the worst for me, I was playing Ultimate Frisbee and I ran at a guy to beat him to the frisbee and I was told that, at a distance, it looked like he tripped me, but in reality, he never touched me. I got within about a foot of him, and my knee sort of... popped, and I crumpled. Boom, down. And it swole (swoll?) to the size of a softball and was just ugly, and it hurt, and I could barely walk.

To this day I have to be careful about how I position my knee when I've got something on top of it (the covers, my husband, whatever) because if I move it the wrong way it'll hurt like a bitch.

Don't know much about Airrosti (although the website I found on it was fascinating), but one of the things that really helped me was Rolfing (http://www.rolf.org/), which is something my mom and step-dad are certified in, and it's really great.

But hopefully things do continue to get better for you (and NY didn't strain it too much), and very cool life lesson that you arrived to at the end.

Re: Wherein You Find Out Just How Scary That Idea Blueprint Girl Launch Was — Surprise!

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:56:18 +0000

Hey Megan! I LOVE this post and think it so perfectly defines that scary moment in time when your mind is less like a flower and more like a boxing match of scary versus more scary. It's cool to hear that you did this and I'd love to interview you for my blog. I'm having a hard time with my title right now too, mostly because it doesn't really fit me at all - good to hear this process is not as easy as others are making it out to be. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing you at the Triiibes conference in a few weeks!

Re: Megan M. and the Camera Rig of Doom

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:13:56 +0000

Ok. I love that shirt all kinds of lots.

Re: Nostalgia Scrubber Bar

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:09:59 +0000

I had no idea you could do that. It's like a little time capsule eh?

Re: Where is your happiness?

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:55:03 +0000

He has a book called "Authentic Happiness" that covers the territory in more detail, as well as a website of the same name.

I'm a huge fan of Learned Optimism, the book helped me make big changes in my life for the better. He goes through his work demonstrating pessimism is a lesser form of depression and spends several chapters on working to change it using similar techniques.

Authentic Happiness goes beyond that to building a better life with the tools he discusses at TED>

Re: Control Freaks (On Their Knees)

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:49:29 +0000

Funny how injuries can teach us a lot about how much we *can't* control our lives. I tore the cartilage that attaches my abdominal wall to my rib cage (ow) about 3 months ago and, like you, had no real serious signs anything was wrong. Then I woke up one night (about a week after what I believe to be the moment that caused the injury) and noticed it hurt really bad to lie on my right side, there was this nasty pressure, and...yeah, something was definitely wrong.

It does take over your life, the constant care and the pain that go with an injury, but I completely agree these sorts of situations teach you there's really only so much you can do to make sure it doesn't happen again. That's life, right? We do the best we can with what we've got (energy, training, abilities, commitment, etc.) and that's all we can do! You'll get better, you'll get back to crossfit when you're ready (I LOVE CROSSFIT...though I haven't done it in awhile), and you'll be much more attentive to the physical signals your body gives you to stop. Same goes for the bigger picture of Life, too.

YAY LIFE LESSONS!

I <3 your video blogs, Megan! Hope your knee works its way back to good nice and soon. :)

-T
@TransitionalTee

Re: Subject Lines Are For Wimps

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Okay, Megan. You're off the hook.... for now. But I'm watching you! (you know... on your blog)

Keep it up and we just may take you out for ice cream.

Re: Why Buy Southwest? Well…

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:15:34 +0000

It's all about the emotions. Mmm... Sell the risk of fear or sell the satisfaction of known comfort. Yes! You are right. :)

Re: Why Buy Southwest? Well…

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:14:36 +0000

Stuff like that does happen all the time on Southwest. The company encourages its employees to have fun and to make sure the passengers have fun too.

Sounds like you got caught up in it too! They are still the only airline out there that seems to really care about their customers these days so I fly them too.

Re: Happy Halloween!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:47:29 +0000

Hee, yes, you'll see it when we visit. ^_^

Re: Happy Halloween!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:10:52 +0000

Marty can haz haircut?

Re: Happy Halloween!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:12:35 +0000

Oh noes!

Save the magnificent Megan from that hideous beast of a bunny!

Re: Quit Taking Yourself So Goddamn Seriously

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:14:17 +0000

Thanks. Needed that. :D

Re: Quit Taking Yourself So Goddamn Seriously

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:46:08 +0000

OH MY GOD you crack me up. Forwarding this to all my clients (and my brother) who need to get a grip. Cheers -

Re: Quit Taking Yourself So Goddamn Seriously

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:52:25 +0000

Come on Megan. Seriously? ^^

Re: Why yes… I have survived! (At least, so far…)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:14:34 +0000

I'm glad to hear you live Megan!

Re: Why yes… I have survived! (At least, so far…)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:45:20 +0000

Marty told me he was taking good care of you. Then he laughed that strange laughing noise that he makes sometimes.

It's all around us here. I'm spraying vodka on everything and everyone to help disinfect. So far, it's working or at least nobody seems to be complaining.

Re: Why yes… I have survived! (At least, so far…)

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:53:43 +0000

Oh dear. Hope you feel better soon!!!!

Link to some lovely looking veggie soup:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tastyp...

Re: Why yes… I have survived! (At least, so far…)

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:26:46 +0000

Cute!

Re: Making Plans for Making Music, BBC Radio Wales, and the Mad Science Experiment That Is My Life

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:20:09 +0000

Awesome!! Very cool project. :)

Re: Making Plans for Making Music, BBC Radio Wales, and the Mad Science Experiment That Is My Life

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:37:27 +0000

O_O

Megan makes music! =D

Re: Part Six: The Results (and the Video)

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:45:06 +0000

I don't sing like that at karaoke, no. But I manage pretty well. ;}